Doubling as a budding metropolis and a college town with unmistakable notes of “hipster-ism”, coffee is not simply a beverage in Madison, but the beverage of choice. It is not solely a drink, but a lifestyle. With that being said, there are a plethora of coffee shops in the Madison area that will offer you a splendid caffeinated potion to power you through your day with a swing in your step and a full-force grin. There are certainly more than five coffee shops in Madison, however, if you opt for a brew from any of these five destinations, you will not be disappointed.
5.) Colectivo
With two locations in Madison- one on State Street and the second on South Pickney Street- Colectivo is not only quality but convenient to access as well. With a consistently fresh, and simultaneously sweet and nutty taste, you can’t go wrong with ordering either a signature roast or a specialty drink. Signature roasts marking Colectivo’s legend include the “velo”, “dark Sumatra”, and “black & tan”, as well as a multitude of seasonal roasts to add to the holiday buzz, such as “snow day” and “starry night”. Drinks such as the macchiato, café au lait, and the mocha are incredible, and so is the chai latte.
During the warmer months, definitely try a cold pour over coffee drink or an iced coffee. Compared to a traditional iced coffee, Colectivo’s iced coffee creations are anything but. There is no such thing as a watered down iced coffee at Colectivo. Rest assured that the rich Colectivo flavor is very much intact even in the iced coffee variations! On another note, Colectivo’s coffee art is impeccable and you can expect a perfectly-crafted leaf atop your mocha or latté each time you order. If that is not heaven on Earth, I honestly do not know what is.
4) Ancora
It took me a few years to actually make the journey to one of the Ancora locations in Madison, and I regret not doing so sooner. My Ancora-less years were spent in unfortunate oblivion and deprivation. I had heard the shop mentioned briefly in passing and had driven past both locations (on University Avenue and King Street). My first Ancora experience is quintessential of everything that quality coffee represents. Aromatic and brewed to idealism, Ancora coffee attains the ideal balance of flavor and optimum caffeination. At first steamy sip, your taste buds tango and fall in love.
To ensure that you have an optimal Ancora experience, I highly recommend the salted caramel latté, milano, white zombie, or the miel. If you are in tune with the holiday cheer, Ancora has innumerable seasonal and holiday coffee drinks, like the gingerbread latte, peppermint mocha, and even a chocolate banana bread latte (spoiler alert: it exceeds taste expectations and will leave you paying an extra four dollars and thirty nine cents for a refill). To add to the allure, Ancora is slightly less expensive than other coffee shops and will not leave you fumbling in your wallet for an extra one-dollar bill.
3.) Indie Coffee
Locally-produced with a creative, hipster aura, Indie is immensely comparable to a European café with its wooden tables and chairs cozily compacted into a small space, combined with scattered pictures on the walls and occasional band appearances. It is the perfect place to have deep discussions about life with a warm cup of coffee and one of their signature waffles. It’s definitely worth the hype. Opt for a chocolate chip waffle and do not hesitate to go heavy on the whipped cream and syrup.
Waffles aside, Indie is definitely all about the coffee. I especially recommend their cappuccinos. After a summer in Rome, I missed my nine AM cappuccino rituals and was pleasantly surprised that Indie made cappuccinos just as wonderful as the ones made in coffee shops along Via della Conciliazione. Along with cappuccinos, definitely make sure to order any one of the specialty drinks on the chalkboard by the counter. The morning bun latte, nutty professor, and the salted caramel latte made with Ghirardelli syrup are sublime. As an added draw, Indie is the cafe to get coffee from before a Badger football game due to its proximity to Camp Randall Stadium.
2.) Michelangelo’s
Fair Trade’s sister coffee shop on State Street, Michelangelo’s is a mecca for organic and fair trade coffee connoisseurs and those simply wanting an exceptional cup of coffee. If you are looking for any of these two aspects, Michelangelo’s will not disappoint you. Before walking into Michelangelo’s, you will see a “home away from home!” sign outside the shop. From personal experience, I can vouch for the fact that it most certainly is. Every time I step inside Michelangelo’s, I cannot help but smile and revel in nostalgia over the many days spent drinking black forest mochas and writing papers in my favorite sofa in the left-hand corner of the shop.
Michelangelo’s draws on the theme of the Italian artist himself with countless paintings on the walls, making coffee-goers feel as if they are a part of a very comfortable art museum in downtown Madison. The coffee is similar in taste to Ancora and Indie, but slightly richer. Make sure to try a caramel macchiato. It is a real macchiato, rather than a glorified caramel latté (Starbucks, I love you, but I’m throwing serious shade your way). You will also notice that, other than the truck stop cappuccino (a French vanilla cappuccino), all of the specialty drinks are mocha variations. They are all absolutely exquisite. Try a black forest, peanut butter, turtle, or grasshopper mocha. You will not be disappointed.
1.) Barriques
The winner of the number one coffee destination in Madison, Barriques has locations scattered around Madison and its surrounding suburbia. I highly recommend venturing to the Barriques located on Monroe Street. As is expected given Monroe Street’s bohemian chic vibe, the Barriques on Monroe Street is no exception to this atmosphere. It offers a welcoming atmosphere with kind staff and is neither too small nor too large, thus providing a fantastic environment to do anything you want to do- whether it is studying vigorously, chatting with friends, or sipping your drink in tranquility.
There are numerous large booths along the walls with space for up to four or five people to sit comfortably, and each booth is equipped with outlets. If one is looking for maximum caffeination and an earthy, bold, characteristically Barriques taste, make sure to try the Kenya roast, the caramel roll, or the almond supreme. Oh, and Barriques also serves a vast selection of wine, and what could be better than not having to choose between the two? Grab a glass of Merlot, a coffee, and a fresh scone and you are set for hours.
While there are certainly more than five places to get coffee in Madison, I can state with confidence that if you stick to these coffee shops, you will not be disappointed. So what are you waiting for? The coffee is calling!